Agenda item

(1)       The Committee had before them the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Localism Manager setting out the proposal for Topic Reviews for inclusion in the Select Committee Topic Review Programme 2009-11.

(2)       Included in the papers for each of the proposal was an assessment form signed by the proposer (and in the majority of cases) endorsed by the appropriate Cabinet Member(s) and Managing Director(s).

(3)       The Chairman reported that since the report had been published he had received an e-mail notification but no assessment for two Topic reviews put forward by the Leader of the Council:-

(a)               Joint Commissioning – is it working?

(b)               Vocational Education

(4)       The Chairman also informed the Committee that the proposal for a `Topic Review on “The Future of Waste” had been withdrawn by the proposer Mr Brazier.

(5)       The Overview and Scrutiny and Localism Manager informed the Committee that the principles agreed by the County Council on 15 October 2009 would enable any Member to be a “rapporteur” (once a scheme had been developed by the new Scrutiny Board in conjunction with the Executive) as another alternative mechanism at the Committees disposal for the suggested topics to be addressed.

(6)       The Committee were given 20 minute presentations for each of the proposed topics:-

(a)             Dementia – presented by one of the proposers Mrs Dean  and Mr Angell was present as the  Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care;

(b)             Educational Attainment of Pupils and Schools in Areas of High Deprivation – presented by the proposers Mr Vye and Mrs Dean. Mr Cooke  Deputy Cabinet Member was in attendance together with Mr M Baker, Interim Director of Learning;

(c)        Extended School Programme and Links with Youth and Community Services – presented by Mr G Cooke Deputy Cabinet Member representing Mrs SV Hohler Cabinet Member and supported by Mr M Baker, interim director of Learning, Mr s Carter, Extended Services Lead Manager and Mr N Baker Head of Kent Youth Services;

(d)       How the Young People of Kent Can interact with and help Older People of the County and Conversely How older citizens of Kent can interact with and help young citizens -  the proposer Mr R J Parry and Mr Angell Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care presented this proposal;

(e)       The Impact of the slowdown of existing, and absence of new Developer Contributions on the Kent Economy and Regeneration in Kent - The proposer for this Topic Review Mr M Snelling was unable to be present. Ms B Cooper, Director of Economic Development, Mr N Smith, Head of Development Investment and Mr P Campion Development Contributions Manager were present to answer questions from members of the Committee;

(f)                 Safeguarding and Adult Protection – the proposer of this review was no longer a Member of the County Council. Mr Angell was in attendance to answer Members questions;

(g)               Skills Shortage and help for Finding  work Opportunities during difficult Times – the proposer of the review Mr R Burgess presented his bid and Mr R Gill Economic Policy Manager was present to answer questions ;and

(h)               Renewable energy – What should Kent’s role be? Was presented by the proposer of the review Dr L Davies, Director, Environment  and Waste, Mr D Brazier, Deputy Cabinet member and Ms C McKenzie  ( Greener Kent Manager)

(7)       The Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager informed the Committee that with regard to the proposed review on Dementia this had also been identified as an issue for inclusion in the HOSC Committees Work Programme.  The Committee noted that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had a dedicated Research Officer and it maybe that the HOSC would be prepared to undertake this Select Committee should the Policy Overview Co Ordinating Committee wish to include it in the Topic Review Work Programme.

(8)       The Committee then discussed each of the proposed reviews in depth before reaching the following conclusions:-

(a) Renewable Energy – to start early in the New Year;

(b) Extended Schools – to undertake a piece of work in April/May and report to the County Council in June;

(c) Educational Attainment of Pupils in Schools in Areas of High Deprivation- commencement date - Summer 2010;

(d) Intergenerational Review – depending on the timing and resources to be deployed for the above reviews the Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager be asked to explore including the review in the programme for a short focussed review commencing in January 2010;

(e) Dementia – That Mr Horne be invited to pick up this review under the Lead of HOSC and the research officer to the HOSC be asked to support this Select Committee;

(f) It was recommended that with regard to the proposed review on Developer Contributions this activity could be picked up by the programme of visits being planned by the Environment Highways and Waste Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(g) The Committee agreed that the review being proposed by Mr Burgess would be an ideal subject for Mr Burgess to undertake concentrating on his own electoral division as one of the first pieces of work under the “rapporteur” scheme which was to be developed following the County Councils approval to establish a scheme ;and

(h) The Proposed Review on Safeguarding and Adult Protection should          not be included in the programme because it is being dealt with       already.

(9)       RESOLVED:-That the Committee

(a)               note the resources available to the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committees to carry out the Topic Review Work Programme;

(b)               agree the Topic Review programme as set out in Minute 12  sub paragraph (4) above; and

(c)        delegate to the Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager the authority to agree the order of the Select Committee Topic Reviews in consultation with the Policy Overview Co Ordinating Committee Chairman, Vice Chairman, Liberal Democrat spokesmen and relevant stakeholders.